Wild Suspicions (Romantic Suspense) (7 page)

Liddie would have shown pity like so many others. Only this time, it wouldn
’t have made him angry. This time, he sensed, it would have brought them closer together – a collapse of two people into each other.

Garrett took a deep breath, thankful that he hadn’t given in to emotion. Liddie’s lips came to mind, being moistened by a quick swipe of her tongue. Garrett wiped his brow. An appreciation for Liddie may be the one thing he did have in common with Parker.

The plane jumped from the bumps of a few air pockets. The turbulence brought him out of his thoughts and back to the plane. Garrett liked when it got choppy. Usually. He pushed forward on the controls and the plane began to descend.

F
or Liddie, he decided, this trip was getting rough enough.

It was a good
two hours after Liddie’s encounter with the men, when Parker finally stirred from the pill-induced sleep. He stood up, let out a huge yawn, and stretched dramatically toward the ceiling. The sudden performance jolted Liddie from thoughts of Garrett. She’d been replaying their conversation repeatedly in her mind, trying to understand what he wanted from her – why he thought it was necessary to plant doubts about Parker.

“
Get ready, Liddie, we’ll be landing anytime now,” said Parker, leaning in to give her a nudge. His breath still smelled of brandy.

He was about to walk to the bar, but Liddie grabbed his sleeve.
“Parker, can we talk for a moment?”

“
What’s up?” He squatted down beside her and Liddie was suddenly struck by the differences between the two men. While Parker was taller with the clean complexion of a beach boy, Garrett’s face was well worn, with a wrinkle here and there, and the never-ending trace of a five o’clock shadow. While Parker’s eyes were clear and icy blue, Garrett’s were dark and intense. One appeared light and carefree, the other troubled and intense. Each provoked a quiver of anxiety, though Liddie wasn’t prepared to understand why that was so.

“
Well?” asked Parker, playfully poking at her nose with his finger.

Liddie
pointed toward the back door. “It’s those men, Parker. I tried to wake you up. The one came out and made a play for me. Then the other came out and started.”

Parker
’s brows came together. “Did they touch you?”

“
Yes.” Liddie took a deep breath. “They grabbed me and tried to drag me to the back. I tried to fight them.” She nodded toward the cockpit door. “Garrett stopped them.”

“
Garrett?” Parker’s eyes narrowed. He stood up and rubbed his mouth with one hand.

“
He told them to leave me alone and they did,” explained Liddie. “I yelled for you several times, but you wouldn’t wake up.” She stood up to stand beside him.

Parker appeared disgusted
and looked around, now noticing the damage Garrett had caused. “Geez! Is that why this seat is broken?” He leaned over to inspect the busted armrest. “Can’t I catch a little shut eye without you antagonizing every guy on the plane?”

“
Me?” Liddie became angry and pushed him hard. “I didn’t do anything but sit here while you slept. If it weren’t for Garrett I’d have spent your nap time getting raped by your two filthy henchmen.”

“
Raped by my henchmen?” Parker suddenly laughed. “Okay. Okay, Liddie. I’m sorry.” He reached out and tried to pull her into his arms.

“
No, Parker.” She smacked at his hands and pushed him away.

“
Calm down, Liddie.” He dropped the smile. “I’ll see that Garrett gets a bonus for taking care of you.” He cautiously reached out to rub her back. “I’ll talk to the guys as well. If something like that ever happens again feel free to pour water over my head.”

Liddie closed her eyes and willed away the anger.
“Either that, or I’ll hit you with a bat,” she assured him. “But there shouldn’t be a next time, Parker. Can’t you fire them? They really threatened me, and actually, they should be arrested. If you don’t do something about it, I will.”

He nodded quickly.
“Yes. Yes. I promise. I’ll contact human resources and, after this trip, they’re gone.” He looked out the window. “I can’t replace them immediately though, so we’re stuck for now.” He led her back to a seat. “Trust that I’ll take care of it, Liddie. Will you do that?” He put a hand on her cheek. “Will you?”

Parker held her eyes with his, waiting for an answer. Liddie nodded, feeling more defeated than comforted
.

“
Come on, sit down. We’re landing soon.” He gave her waist a squeeze. “Now give me a quick kiss, beautiful.”

She
obliged with an obligatory peck on his cheek.

“
I’m going to go have a talk with the guys right now. You relax, okay?” He stroked her arm. “I promise you, Liddie, it will be just you and me soon. And it’ll be great.”

The words hung in the air as he left
.

It
’ll be great.

Fresh air and freedom.

The remaining time on the airplane was uneventful
, and Liddie was thankful for that.

After landing in Dubai, Parker guided her to
ward a helicopter that was waiting a few yards from the landed plane, ready to take them up and over the nightlights of Dubai.

Before climbing into the back seat, Liddie turned to look around the airport for Garrett. It only seemed right to thank him
again, but the pilot was nowhere in sight.

“
Have you ever been in a helicopter?” asked Parker, reaching over to strap her in.

She
smiled. “You know I haven’t. But it’s already so much better than sitting on that airplane.”

“
We could have taken a car,” said Parker, “But I thought you might enjoy this.”

The chopper blades
began to twirl, and soon they were off the ground.

“
Excited?”

Liddie
nodded. “I am.”

Seeing the
beauty of the United Arab Emirates city from above was the type of experience Liddie had been hoping to have on this trip. The architecture of the buildings was interestingly modern, and Parker played tour guide, alerting her to landmarks like Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper; and The Palm Jumeirah, a chain of islands designed to create the image of a palm tree from above. The chopper pilot provided wonderful views, circling and dipping to assist Parker with the tour. The buildings sparkled against the night sky while the islands extended into the Persian Gulf, alit like a fireworks display in the sea.

T
he lights of the city and the elegance of the beach exuded wealth, excitement, and entertainment.

Parker took her hand.
“I told you this would be fun.”

Liddie
appreciated that he was working to impress and entertain her. She squeezed his hand with both of hers. Having the opportunity to see such a major city from this height was incredible. Liddie suddenly pictured herself on his arm, walking the beaches in a colorful dress and sandals, while stopping for the occasional glass of fine wine and local conversation.

“
You would love shopping here,” said Parker. “The jewelry is astounding.” He smiled slyly. “We’ll have to pick you up something insane.” He cocked his head sideways. “Let’s see, maybe a diamond bracelet, or a ruby crown?”

Liddie tried
not to, but the promise of such royal treatment had her smiling from ear to ear. “Oh, stop it Parker! You know I’m not here for that.”

He laughed and
pulled her into his side. “I know, Liddie, I know. You’re here for me.”

The sound of the chopper blades didn
’t distract from the sightseeing experience at all, and, with just the two of them in the helicopter with the service pilot, it was a comfortable and romantic ride.

Parker pointed to l
arge skyscrapers competing for attention along Sheikh Zayed Road. “I do much of my business in one of those buildings.”

The
y made a wide turn over the city and headed back toward the beach. Liddie felt Parker watching as she suddenly realized the chopper was steering toward a particularly beautiful resort rising up from an artificial island off the Dubai beach coast.

“
Parker?” she asked with eyes wide.

He laughed.
“Yes. That’s where we’re staying.”

Liddie held a hand to her chest.
“I think I saw this place on television,” she noted excitedly. Though she couldn’t recall its name, she knew it meant something like “Diamond Castle,” and the hotel did indeed shine like a brilliant gem against the darkness.

“
How long will we be here?”

Parker
’s smile turned to a frown. “Unfortunately, we’re only here until morning.” He looked at his watch. “About ten or eleven hours.”

“
What?” Liddie cried out in dismay. “We can only stay here one night? But Parker, it’s so beautiful.”

“
I know. But I told you it’s just a layover.”

The helicopter began to hover above
a circular helipad and make its descent.

“
I’m sorry, Liddie. But I did want you to see it.” He shrugged. “After we’ve completed the business portion of the trip, I don’t see why we couldn’t come back for a week or so. Would you like that?”

Finally. A
plan. This was exactly what she needed to reinvigorate her interest in the trip – and Parker. Liddie hadn’t wanted to admit it, but up until now, he’d been somewhat of a disappointment. She leaned over and kissed him.

“
I consider this the true beginning of our trip.”

“
That’s the attitude I’m looking for,” said Parker. He pulled her closer and kissed harder. He excitedly explored her mouth with his, and they remained entwined until the chopper landed. The helipad was connected to the twenty-eighth floor of the hotel, protruding out over the island like a giant saucer.

Parker pulled away
as soon as they hit the ground. “Let’s go,” he directed with a pat on her arm.

Hotel staff
, in coordinated uniforms, greeted the two with extreme hospitality. Parker and Liddie followed them into the building and to the room, which was one level down.

Inside,
the hotel atrium featured a complex design of intertwined architecture. Taking a moment to lean over the rail of a passageway, Liddie studied the stylish step-like layout of floors that ended with a grand mosaic design on the tiled floor of the main lobby.

T
he carpets, drapes, flowers and upholstery placed throughout the hotel popped with saturated shades of royal blue, metallic gold and ruby red. More opulent than tasteful, the overall affect was nonetheless breathtaking.

T
he bellman stopped and opened the door to their room. To Liddie’s surprise it had two floors. Just like her condominium. They could enter and go to the left, where Liddie could see a living area; or go straight up a carpet-covered staircase. The bedroom, she assumed, was upstairs.

Parker pushed through like he
lived there. “Did the luggage get here?” he asked the bellman.

“
Yes, sir. Already done.” The bellman moved toward the living room, but Parker stopped him with a wave of the hand.

“
No, no, we’re fine, that’ll be all.” He gave the man a nod and Liddie assumed that tips, along with their check-in, had all been prearranged.

After the bellman left
, Parker took the stairs leading up to the bedroom two at a time. He didn’t say anything, but it seemed to be understood that Liddie would follow. No invitation needed. She took the stairs more slowly than he, and couldn’t believe the room as it came into view.

Floor to ceiling windows gave an almost 360
-degree view of the Dubai night. The beach was sparkling with lights and color in the immediate distance. Red upholstered chairs were set up in a corner with an end table. A huge bureau held the television that would rise up at the touch of a button.

I
t was the bed, however, that got Liddie trembling. A gold, damask spread covered a king-sized mattress. At least twelve velvet pillows sat like a treasure chest of gemstones against the headboard, which was mirrored and reflected the image of night sky from the windows. If that wasn’t enough, another huge mirror – framed like a renaissance painting – was pinned to the ceiling above the bed.

“
Oh, no, Parker. A ceiling mirror?” Liddie brought both hands up to feel the heat in her cheeks. “I thought that was a myth from the ’60s.”

Her
apprehension wasn’t lost on Parker. “Oh, relax, Liddie. It’s so I can watch you sleeping.” He winked. “Think nothing more of it.”

Liddie collapsed on the bed, entranced by the
oddity over her head. “If it weren’t framed so beautifully, I’d call it ridiculous.” Somehow, she marveled, the frame managed to class it up.

Parker
laughed and grabbed a pair of underwear from a bureau across the room.

“
They give you underwear here, too?”

“
Oh my God, Liddie, you’re so funny.” Parker pulled off the polo shirt he’d worn on the flight. “The bags were delivered from the airport and unpacked for us. Your stuff is here, too.”

Liddie was
immediately relieved she hadn’t packed anything personal. While having someone else unpack your bag may be a luxury, she didn’t understand the necessity of it. Who wanted strangers touching their stuff?

“
Going to join me in the shower?” Parker asked playfully. He plopped on the bed beside her and gave a quick kiss. Liddie leaned into him, placing a hand on a clean-shaven torso and tight abs. Parker’s lean and long muscles twitched with her touch.